Programming control apparatus for automatic washing machines



3, 1966 J. RUB ETAL 3,267,702

PROGRAMMING CONTROL APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Filed April 30, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 3, 1966 .1 RUB ETAL 3,267,702

PROGRAMMING; CONTROL APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES United States Patent PROGRAMMING CONTROL APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINES Jakob Rob and Eugen Baumgartner, Zurich, Switzerland, assignors to Maschinenfabrik Ad. Schulthess & Co. AG., Zurich, Switzerland Filed Apr. 30, 1964, Ser. No. 363,939 Claims priority, application Switzerland, Nov. 25, 1963, 14,393/ 63 3 Claims. (Cl. 68-12) The invention relates to a programming control apparatus for automatic washing machines, comprising a selector with a switching device 'for selecting a washing programme from a plurality of programmes available, and with a timing device, having a synchronous motor driving a rotatable contacting mechanism through a reducing gear.

Known devices of this kind have complicated timing devices, the rotatable contact devices of which cooperate with contacts which must be adjusted according tothe selected programme, the duration of one rotation of the device corresponding substantially to the duration of the longest washing programme. In order to reset the timer to its original position after a shorter washing programme, the device is connected with the reducing gear through a free-wheel clutch.

The present invention has the object of enabling diflerent programmes to be carried out with a much simpler and less complicated timing device. The programming device according to the invention is characterized by a group of programming relays contained in the selector, each associated with one washing programme and selectable by the switching mechanism; by a timer which is invariable during the operation; and by a device by means of which the operation of the timer is interrupted at least once during a programme so that this programme has a longer duration than the other programme or programmes during which the timer returns to its original position without such interruption.

The drawings show an embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 shows the circuit diagram of a programme control device fitted to an automatic washing machine with heating; and

vFIGURE 2 is a diagram explaining the operation of a timing device titted into the equipment according to FIGURE 1.

The circuit of FIGURE 1 has two input terminals 1 and 2, connected to the normal mains at 220 v., 50c./s. The terminal 1 is connected by a lead 3 with a starting knob ST, operation of which connects the lead 3 with a lead 4, resulting in the starting up of the washing machine. In order to control the machine, there is provided a group 5 of four programming relays A, B, C, D, to which is connected in series a switching mechanism -6, having an input terminal 6' and four output terminals 7, 8, 9 and 10. The terminal 6 is connected with the lead 4, whilst the terminals 7 to 10 are each connected with one of the programming relays A to D, connected in turn to a lead 11 which is applied to a lead 12; this lead 12 is connected through a door or gate contact TK with the input terminal 2. The door contact TK is closed when the door of a drum (not shown) adapted to receive the laundry is closed, which is a normal condition for starting up the washing machine. Each programming relay A to D is associated with a warning lamp Sa, Sb, Sc, and Sd, respectively, which indicates that a particular relay has been energized. The warning lamps Sa, Sc and Sd are connected in parallel to the relays A, C and D, whilst the warning lamp Sb is connected in series wit-h a contact a4 of the relay A, and this series circuit is shunted to the relay B. Conveniently the warning lamps Sa to Sd have dilierent colour, and inscriptions are provided which indicate the ice type of programme used, such as, e.g., white wash, coloureds, nylons or woolens.

With small changes, the switching mechanism might consist of a simple, single-pole switch. However, in the present case, the arrangement relates to a programme selecting device with a coin slot machine of a suitable nature.

The relay A has six contacts al to a6, the relay B although of the same type as relay A, has only four operating contacts b1, b2, b5 and b6, the relay C four operating contacts c1, c2, c5, c6 and relay D also four operating contacts d1, d2, d5 and d6; all these contacts are shown in the rest position, with de-energized relays. In addition to the programming relays, there is also an auxiliary relay E having five contacts 21 to 25, also shown in the rest position. A timer Z has six switching contacts 2J1 to 23, the operation of which is shown in FIGURE 2. The timer Z has a conventional synchronous motor, not shown in detail, driving via a reduction gearing a disc, designed, e.g., as a perforated disc actuating the contacts zl to 28. However, the timing disc may also be a cam plate or may carry contacts which co-operate with associated, fixed, contacts. A full revolution of the timing disc may last, for example, 25 minutes. FIGURE 2 shows along the abscissa the time t and along the ordinate for each contact Z1 to 28 its switching condition, indicated by the distance between a switching line zl to Z8 and .a base line n1 to 28 Where the distance between base and switching lines is small, the switching contact is in the position valid for the zero point T0 of the time axis t, shown in the drawing. Where the distance between the base and switching lines is large, the contact is in its other position. For each programme, the timing disc carries out a full revolution so that at the end of the programme, the contacts are in their initial positions. It should be noted that, although the timer Z returns after every programme into its starting position, the programmes have not all the same duration, since in some programmes the operation of the timer Z is temporarily interrupted.

The washing machine has a drum 20, driven by a main motor 21 and an electric heating device 22 for the washing water. I

The washing machine has an electromagnetically controlled drain valve AV and three electromagnetically controlled inlet valves WD, WE and HD. In addition, there are two level regulators N and H with switching contacts 11 and h, respectively. The contact n is moved from the position shown, which it assumed with empty drum, into its top position when the water in the drum reaches a comparatively low level, such as is desirable for washing Whites, coloureds and nylons. The contact h is moved into its top position only when the water reaches a much higher level, such as required for washing woolens.

A thermostat T has four contacts 11 to t4 which are associated with temperatures of 95 C., 65 C., C. and 35 C., respectively. The contacts II to t4 are normally closed and are successivelyopened when these temperatures are reached, that is to say t4 at 35 C., t3 at 45 0, 22 at C. and [1 at C. The contacts t1 to t4 are connected on one side to a lead 13, leading to a contactor S1 used for energizing an electric heating device 22 through a contact S1. Instead of this electric heating device, also steam heating may be provided in which case the contactor S1 operates an electric valve. In both cases, the contactor S1 has an additional contact s1 serving for controlling the timer Z. Two further contactors S2 and S3 serve for controlling the main motor, 21, for the drum 20, and having two stator windings (not shown) with different pole numbers. If the contactor S2 is energized, the stator winding is switched on which drives the drum more slowly, as is required for the actual washing. Energizing of the contactor S3 causes the drum to rotate quickly, such as is required for centrifuging, i.e., preliminarily drying the laundry. The contactor S3 has three additional contacts s3 and s3 and s3 the contact s3 being located between the lead 3 and a lead 14, and the contact s3 is in series with the timer contact 26 and the auxiliary relay E between the leads 4 and 12, and 53 being in series with contactor S3 in a self-holding circuit.

A coin slot control switch mechanism can be employed if desired for actuating the selector relay switches 7, 8, 9 and 10 as shown in United States application, Serial No. 363,788, filed April 30, 1964, concurrent with the present application. The winding M may actuate a coin retaining solenoid at the bottom of the coin slot which when energized releases the coins in the slot so that they will fall by gravity into a collection box after the winding M is energized.

A further magnetic winding V serves to lock the door of the drum so that this door cannot be opened when the winding V is energized. A signal lamp L and a motor U are connected in parallel to the winding V. The motor U drives through a reducing gear a reversing switch, not shown, by means of which the main motor is periodically reversed, as known in the art, in order to reverse its sense of rotation. The motor U, commonly referred to as reversing motor, also operates a contact it which is closed for a few seconds, e.g., for five seconds, during every revolution of the output shaft of the reduction gearmg.

The operation of the programme control device will be explained in the following for the case in which-be it by directly connecting the input terminal 6 of the switching device 6 with the output terminal 10, or by inserting coins into the coin slot -machine-the programme corresponding to the programming relay D has been selected, that is to say, the programme for washing white laundry.

By depressing the starter St, the programming relay D in the circuit 1-3-St-4-6'-itl-D-l1-12-TK-2 is energized and repositions its contacts d1, d2, and (16, causing also the warning lamp Sd to light up. Closure of the contact d2 energizes the lead 14 and closure of the contact d6 closes a holding circuit 1-3-d2-l4-d6-4-6-1i3- D-ll-lZ-TK-Z so that the relay remains energized even after the starter St has been released. Now the timer Z in the circuit 14-s1-Z-12 is energized and its perforated disc starts to rotate. The inlet valve WD in the circuit 14-z8-z3-n-z5-WD-l2 is energized and allows softened water to flow into the drum. The contactor S2 is the circuit 14-z'7-a3-S2-12 is energized, so that the motor drives the drum at the slower speed. At the same time, the magnetic winding V for the door locking mechanism, the warning lamp L and the reversing motor are energized which are located directly between the leads 14 and 12. The auidliary relay E in the circuit l4 d6-4-s3 z6-E-12 is energized and repositions its five contacts 21 to 25.

When the water level has risen sufiiciently, the low water regulator N repositions its contact 11 causing the inlet valve WD to close. At the same time, the contactor S1 in the circuit li-z8-z3-n-S1-13-t2-e3-d5-l2 is energizedand switches on the heating by closing contact sil At the same time, the contact s1 is opened, so that the timer Z is stopped until due to the heating of the water the thermostat contact t2 is opened which happens, as mentioned above, at 65 C. (The thermostat contacts t4 and t3 which form at first parallel circuits to the contact '12, have already opened at C. and C., respectively.) This stoppage of the timer Z occurs, for example, after about one minute, at the point marked Hl on the abscissa in FIGURE 2, and lasts, according to the temperature of the inlet water, say, about 10 minutes. After the temperature of C., necessary for the first wash of white laundry, has been reached and the heating contactor S1 is de-energized, the timer Z continues to rotate until at the moment Ti (FIGURE 2), the contacts 28 is repositioned. This causes the drain valve AV in the circuit 14-zS-d1AV-l2 to be energized or opened, allowing water to drain from the drum. At the moment T2, the drain valve is again closed by the reversal of the contact 23.

Since the contacts 24 and Z5 have already been repositioned before the moment T2 and the contact )1 has returned to its starting position when the drum has been emptied, a circuit 14-28-23-n-z5-z4-WE-12 has been established. This causes the inlet valve to be energized or opened, allowing soft water to enter the drum which takes along a predetermined amount of washing powder into the drum.

Next the contact Z6 is repositioned at the moment T3 so that the auxiliary relay E is de-energized, but this has no immediate reaction, whilst the lead 13 is connected with the lead 12 through the thermostat contact t1 and the contacts edand d5. When the level of the water has again risen sufiiciently, the level regulator contact n is again moved into its top position and the heater contactor Si is switched on. The contact s1 is opened and the timer Z stops 2. second time, say, at the moment H2 in FIGURE 2. When the water has reached the temperature of C., associated with the contact t1, the circuit is broken by the contactor S1, the heating is switched off and the timer is again started. The second stop may last for example, 20 minutes. Thus, between the moment TO when the timer starts to run until the moment TE when the perforated plate has made its full revolution, not 25 minutes have passed (i.e., the pure revolution time), but 25 about 10 about 20 minutes 55 minutes.

Then the contact 28 is repositioned at the moment T4 so that the drain valve A Vis opened. At the moment T5, the drain valve AV is again closed so that the inlet valve contact 23 has been reversed immediately before the moment T5, causing the lower water level regulator to be ineffective. The inlet valve WE allows soft water to run directly into the drum from which it is discharged through an overflow so that the laundry is rinsed through at high level. Naturally, the overflow is at a higher level than that of the high water level regulator H which is ineffective, because its contact is open.

At the moment T6, the contact Z8 is again repositioned and the drain valve AV is opened. At the moment T7, the contact 28 reaches again its starting position and the inlet valve HD in the circuit 14z8z3z5z4-HD12 is excited, that is, opened, since the contact Z4 has been repositioned shortly before the moment T7= Then a further rinsing cycle is effected with unsoftened water until the moment T8, when the drain valve AV is again opened. In a similar manner a third rinsing'is effected between T9 and T10, also with unsoftened water.

At the moment T11, the contact Z7 is repositioned so that the contactor S3 in the circuit 14z7z2-b6e1-S3- 12 is energized, switching the drive motor to its high speed so as to centrifuge the laundry whilst the contact Z7 simultaneously switches off the low speed contactor S2. Parallel to the contactor S3, the magnetic winding M of the coin slot machine is energized, as described in the aforementioned United States patent application, Serial No. 363,788, filed April 30, 1964, which actuates a coin retaining armature or the like at the bottom of the coin slot when the winding M is energized, thus causing the coins to drop into the cash box and breaking at the same time the connection made by the coins between the input terminal 6' and the output terminal 10 of the switching device 6 and the relay D is tie-energizedv The lead 14 remains energized in spite of the de-energization of the relay D, because the contact s3, is now repositioned so as to form a link l3-s3 l4. The timer Z remains therefore activated so long as the contactor S3 is switched on. At the end of one revolution of the perforated disc of the timer Z, the contact 27 is returned to its starting position. The contaotor S3 is de-energized and the timer Z .5 is stopped. All timer contacts 21 to 28 are now back in their starting position. The switching times for the contacts which are unimportant for white laundry have not been mentioned for the sake of simplicity. It should, however, be mentioned that the contact Z1 which has been repositioned shortly after the start of the rotation of the timer Z and has been returned only briefly before the end of this rotation, bridges the starter St almost for the whole washing time. This has the object of restarting the washing machine again automatically after shortduration interruptions in the main voltage so as to complete the programme.

In the following, the three remaining washing programmes are briefly discussed.

In principle, the programme for coloured laundry is very similar to that for White laundry. The difference is mainly that the insertion of a difierent amount of money has energized the relay C so that the contact c is connected through the auxiliary relay contact e5 with the thermostat contact t2 for 65 C. During the preliminary wash, the auxiliaryrelay E is energized and the heating contactor S1 is the circuit 14z8z3-n-S1-13t3- 116-12 is energized. The timer Z stops during the first wash until the thermostat contact t3 opens when the temperature reaches 45 C. For the final wash, the relay E is no longer energized and the contactor S1 is in the circuit 14-z8z3nfiS1-t2c5-e5-12. In consequence, the timer Z is stopped during the final wash until the temperature of 65 C. is reached. Owing to the low temperatures to which the Water is heated, the duration for washing coloureds is shorter than for washing whites, equalling, say, 40 minutes. Apart from that, the programmes are identical.

For washing nylon or other synthetic fibres, the programming relay B is energized, the contacts of which, b2 and b5 have the same function as the contacts d6, or c2 and c6 of the previously described programmes. However, now the closed contact b1 bridges the rest contact s1 of the heating contactor S1 so that the stopping of the timer Z during the heating up period is prevented. During this programme and during the washing of wool, the timer Z runs continuously so that in both cases the programme lasts 25 minutes. Since the contacts :15 and c5 are open, the heating contacts S1 is connected through the contacts 13 and a6 with the lead 12. This programme has no first wash, but only a final wash by preventing during the repositioning of the contact 28 at the moment T1 the energizing or opening of the drain valve AV by means of the contacts d1, c1, e2. Thus no water is being changed and the water is discharged only at the moment T4. The following three rinsing stages are exactly the same as in the first two programmes, whilst the centrifugin is shortened for nylons and woolens. This is achieved in that way that at the moment T11 the contactor S2 is de-energized by repositioning the contact z7, whilst the contactor S3 is not yet energized because the contact b6 is open. Only at the moment T12 closes the contact 22 a circuit 14-27-22-21-83-12 causing the contactor S3 to switch the drive motor to high speed. This shortening of the centrifuging protects nylon and wool.

The diiference between the programme for woolens and nylons is that wool is washed at high water level and with intermittent running of the drum. The programming relay A energized by the insertion of coins causes, through closing its contact a2 that also the programming relay B is energized, whilst the simultaneous opening of its contact a4 prevents the associated warning lamp Sb from lighting up. The water inlet is effected by energizing the inlet valve WD in the circuit 14z8a1 h-z5-WD12, and is stopped only when the high level regulator reverses its contact h to the top. The heating relay S1 is energized already when the low level regulator N repositions its contact n to the top. Finally, when the contact 11 is reversed to the top, the contactor S2 in 6 the circuit 14z8-a1hua5S2-12 is energized so that the drum is slowly rotated. The contact u is now closed alternatingly by the reversing motor U for five seconds and opened for 25 seconds, that is, the contactor S2 is alternatively energized and de-energized, causing an intermittent running of the drum. Since the contacts d5, 05 and a6 are open, the heating contactor S1 can be connected with the lead 12 only through the contact 14 so that the heating is switched oil? when the temperature of C. is reached. As already mentioned, the nylon washing programme has no preliminary wash and only a shontened centrifuging stage.

As already mentioned, the switching mechanism 6 may also comprise a simple switch for connecting the terminal 6' with one of the terminals 7 to 10. In this case, the possibly manually operated switch has a resetting winding, energizing of which returns the switch to a zero position, wherein the resetting Winding must be formed by the winding M of the circuit shown. In this case, the selected programming relay will also be de-energized at the moment T11, at which the contact 27 is repositioned and the centrifuging is started. Also in the case first described, the winding M forms as cash winding a resetting winding for the coin slot machine.

We claim:

1. A program control for an automatic washing ma chine having valves and liquid level devices for controlling the washing liquid, said Washing machine also having motor control relays for washing and spin cycles, a program selector having a series of selector relays, at least two of said selector relays being adapted for washing fabrics of ditferent texture at different temperatures, a constant speed timer, a circuit having a source of electrical energy and including a series of selective switches for selectively energizing said selector relays, a second series of control switches in said circuit, certain of said second series of switches being actuated by said selector relays to condition said circuit for a predetermined washing operation, a third series of switches in said circuit, said third series of switches being controlled by said timer to actuate the liquid level devices, valves and motor control relays in timedsequence through said preselected washing operation, a series of normally closed thermostatic switches responsive to different temperatures, a first one of said thermostatic switches opening at 95 and a second such switch opening at one of said thermostatic switches being connected in said circuit by one of said second series of switches when a first one of said selector relays is actuated and by another one of said second series of switches when another selector relay is actuated and a relay control switch in circuit with said thermostatic switches for interrupting a circuit through said timer when the thermostatic switch placed in circuit by actuation of at least one of said aforementioned selector relays is actuated, whereby when said first thermostatic switch is connected in the circuit by actuation of said first one of the selector relays the washing machine will operate through a time period of minutes for laundry composed of white fabric, and when said second thermostatic switch is connected by actuation of said another selector relay said washing machine will operate at a reduced time period of approximately 25 minutes with a short centrifuging cycle.

2. A program control for an automatic washing machine as set forth in claim 1 in which a signal lamp is in shunt circuit with each of said selector relays to visually indicate the selected washing program.

3. A program control for an automatic washing machine as set forth in claim 1 in which said series of normally closed thermostatic switches includes others which are adapted to open and interrupt the timer circuit at temperatures of and 35.

(References on following page) References Qited by the Examiner UNITED FOREIGN PATENTS STATES PATENTS 248,535 5/ 1963 Australia.

Chatelain 68-15 X OTHER REFERENCES gggfgiiiiELiif i- 5 19glerman printed application, No. 1,118,146, November Collins et a1. 68-12 Pittendreigh et a1. 68--12 WILLIAM I. PRICE, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PROGRAM CONTROL FOR AN AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE HAVING VALVES AND LIQUID LEVEL DEVICES FOR CONTROLLING THE WASHING LIQUID, SAID WASHING MACHINE ALSO HAVING MOTOR CONTROL RELAYS FOR WASHING AND SPIN CYCLES, A PROGRAM SELECTOR HAVING A SERIES OF SELECTOR RELAYS, AT LEAST TWO OF SAID SELECTOR RELAYS BEING ADAPTED FOR WASHING FABRICS OF DIFFERENT TEXTURE AT DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES, A CONSTANT SPEED TIMER, A CIRCUIT HAVING A SOURCE OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND INCLUDING A SERIES OF SELECTIVE SWITCHES FOR SELECTIVELY ENERGIZING SAID SELECTOR RELAYS, A SECOND SERIES OF CONTROL SWITCHES IN SAID CIRCUIT, CERTAIN OF SAID SECOND SERIES OF SWITCHES BEING ACTUATED BY SAID SELECTOR RELAYS TO CONDITION SAID CIRCUIT FOR A PREDETERMINED WASHING OPERATION, A THIRD SERIES OF SWITCHES IN SAID CIRCUIT, SAID THIRD SERIES OF SWITCHES BEING CONTROLLED BY SAID TIMER TO ACTUATE THE LIQUID LEVEL DEVICES, VALVES AND MOTOR CONTROL RELAYS IN TIMED SEQUENCE THROUGH SAID PRESELECTED WASHING OPERATION, A SERIES OF NORMALLY CLOSED THERMOSTATIC SWITCHES RESPONSIVE TO DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES, A FIRST ONE OF SAID THERMOSTATIC SWITCHES OPENING AT 95* AND A SECOND SUCH SWITCH OPENING AT 45*, ONE OF SAID THERMOSTATIC SWITCHES BEING CONNECTED IN SAID CIRCUIT BY ONE OF SAID SECOND SERIES OF SWITCHES WHEN A FIRST ONE OF SAID SELECTOR RELAYS IS ACTUATED AND BY ANOTHER ONE OF SAID SECOND SERIES OF SWITCHES WHEN ANOTHER SELECTOR RELAY IS ACTUATED AND A RELAY CONTROL SWITCH IN CIRCUIT WITH SAID THERMOSTATIC SWITCHES FOR INTERRUPTING A CIRCUIT THROUGH SAID TIMER WHEN THE THERMOSTATIC SWITCH PLACED IN CIRCUIT BY ACTUATION OF AT LEAST ONE OF SAID AFOREMENTIONED SELECTOR RELAYS IS ACTUATED, WHEREBY WHEN SAID FIRST THERMOSTATIC SWITCH IS CONNECTED IN THE CIRCUIT BY ACTUATION OF SAID FIRST ONE OF THE SELECTOR RELAYS THE WASHING MACHINE WILL OPERATE THROUGH A TIME PERIOD OF 55 MINUTES FOR LAUNDRY COMPOSED OF WHITE FABRIC, AND WHEN SAID SECOND THERMOSTATIC SWITCH IS CONNECTED BY ACTUATION OF SAID ANOTHER SELECTOR RELAY SAID WASHING MACHINE WILL OPERATE AT A REDUCED TIME PERIOD OF APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES WITH A SHORT CENTRIFUGING CYCLE. 